Zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most versatile semiconductor materials with many potential applications. Understanding the interactions between the surface chemistry of ZnO along with its ...physico-chemical properties are essential for the development of ZnO as a robust photocatalyst for the removal of aqueous pollutants. We report on the fabrication of nanoparticle-like porous ZnO films and the correlation between the fabrication process parameters, particle size, surface oxygen vacancies (SOV), photoluminescence and photocatalytic performance. The synthesis route is unique, as highly porous zinc layers with nanoscale grains were first grown via magnetron sputtering, a vacuum-based technique, and subsequently annealed at temperatures of 400 °C, 600 °C and 800 °C in oxygen flow to oxidise them to zinc oxide (ZnO) while maintaining their porosity. Our results show that as the annealing temperature increases, nanoparticle agglomeration increases, and thus there is a decrease in the active sites for the photocatalytic reaction. However, for selected samples the annealing leads to an increase of the photocatalytic efficiency, which we explain based on the analysis of defects in the material, based on photoluminescence (PL). PL analysis showed that in the material the transition between the conduction band and the oxygen vacancy is responsible for the green emission centered at 525 nm, but the photocatalytic activity correlated best with surface states—related emission.
Thyroid cancer is a tumour with a steadily increasing incidence. It accounts for 7% to 15% of focal lesions detected by ultrasound, depending on age, gender and other factors affecting its ...occurrence. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is an essential method to establish the diagnosis but, in view of its limitations, sonoelastography is seen as a non-invasive technique useful in differentiating the nature of lesions and monitoring them after fine-needle aspiration biopsy. This paper presents a literature review on the role of both sonoelastographic techniques (relative strain sonoelastography, shear wave sonoelastography) to assess the deformability of focal thyroid lesions. Ultrasound examination is a relatively subjective method of thyroid imaging, depending on the skills of the examiner, the experience of the centre, and the quality of equipment used. As a consequence, there are inconsistencies between the results obtained by different examiners (
) and by the same examiner (
). In this paper, the authors present a review of the literature on inter-observer and intra-observer variability in the assessment of individual features of ultrasound imaging of focal lesions in the thyroid. In addition, the authors report on an analysis of cut-off thresholds for the size of lesions constituting the basis for fine-needle aspiration biopsy eligibility assessment. The need to diagnose carcinomas up to 10 mm in diameter is highlighted, however a more liberal approach is recommended in terms of indications for biopsy in lesions associated with a low risk of malignancy, where, based on consultations with patients, active ultrasound surveillance might even be considered.
Numerous scientific societies around the world have published their TIRADS (Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System) classifications that evaluate the risk of malignancy of focal thyroid lesions, ...presenting different ultrasound features for each category and lesion size thresholds to determine eligibility for biopsy. The use of such risk estimation systems in focal thyroid lesions facilitates the reporting of thyroid ultrasound findings and improves the qualification of focal lesions for fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). In this publication, the three most popular TIRADS classifications, European – EU-TIRADS, Korean – K-TIRADS, and developed by the American Society of Radiology – ACR-TIRADS, are presented and discussed based on a literature review. The results of available head-to-head statistical analyses comparing the classifications are also presented. The advantage of the EU-TIRADS and K-TIRADS systems is that they include only the most important ultrasound features, so their application is not time-consuming, and the scores are easy to incorporate into clinical practice. ACR-TIRADS, unlike other scales, is based on a unique classification system and represents the most comprehensive classification. Each of the five categories of ultrasound features – morphology, echogenicity, shape, margins, microcalcifications – are evaluated and assigned a score from 0 to 3, with a higher score being associated with a higher risk of cancer. Based on the available data, the greatest benefit has been demonstrated for the ACR-TIRADS classification, which also has implications for minimising the number of unnecessary FNABs. However, limitations related to the heterogeneity of the groups analysed in the study, including differences in the populations studied, inclusion criteria, proportions of patients of either sexes, and the number of malignant lesions analysed, should also be taken into account.
Welcome to thyroid research Lewinski, Andrzej; Köhrle, Josef; Alevizaki, Maria ...
Thyroid research,
09/2008, Volume:
1, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Welcome to the first issue of Thyroid Research, a new journal published by BioMed Central, which aims at providing a platform for both researchers and clinicians to discuss a broad spectrum of ...thyroidology and related issues. These include physiological mechanisms of thyroid hormone action, secretory regulations, immunological and genetic aspects and, finally, news and information on state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and treatment protocols for more effective management of thyroid disorders.
Thyroid disorders are more frequently observed in diabetic patients. These conditions have been shown to be mainly of autoimmune origin and all of them may lead to hormonal imbalance. Especially ...strong links exist between autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) and type 1 diabetes. Importantly, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can adversely affect metabolic control of diabetes. These recommendations propose diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms for thyroid dysfunction in diabetic patients.
Building on our diverse research traditions in the study of reasoning, language and communication, the Polish School of Argumentation integrates various disciplines and institutions across Poland in ...which scholars are dedicated to understanding the phenomenon of the force of argument. Our primary goal is to craft a methodological programme and establish organisational infrastructure: this is the first key step in facilitating and fostering our research movement, which joins people with a common research focus, complementary skills and an enthusiasm to work together. This statement—the
Manifesto
—lays the foundations for the research programme of the Polish School of Argumentation.
The management of thyroid disorders during pregnancy is one of the most frequently disputed problems in modern endocrinology. It is widely known that thyroid dysfunction may result in subfertility, ...and, if inadequately treated during pregnancy, may cause obstetrical complications and influence fetal development. The 2007 Endocrine Society Practice Guideline endorsed with the participation of the Latino America Thyroid Association, the American Thyroid Association, the Asia and Oceania Thyroid Association and the European Thyroid Association, greatly contributed towards uniformity of the management of thyroid disorders during pregnancy and postpartum. Despite the tremendous progress in knowledge on the mutual influence of pregnancy and thyroid in health and disease, there are still important areas of uncertainty. There have been at least a few important studies published in the last 3 years, which influenced the thyroidal care of the expecting mother. It should also be remembered that guidelines may not always be universally applied in all populations with different ethnical, socio-economical, nutritional (including iodine intake) background or exposed to different iodine prophylaxis models. The Task Force for development of guidelines for thyroid dysfunction management in pregnant women was established in 2008. The expert group has recognized the following tasks: development of the coherent model of the management of thyroid dysfunction in pregnant women, identification of the group of women at risk of thyroid dysfunction, who may require endocrine care in the preconception period, during pregnancy and postpartum - that is in other words, the development of Polish recommendations for targeted thyroid disorder case finding during pregnancy, and the development of Polish trimester-specific reference values of thyroid hormones. Comprehensive Polish guidelines developed by the Task Force are to systematize the management of the thyroid disorders in pregnant women in Poland.
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